The Bride Of The Devil-Chapter 86: When The Hunter Becomes The Hunted

The sky was pale blue when Ivan opened his eyes.

He blinked slowly, still half-asleep, his head resting beside Lydia’s on the edge of the bed. A soft warmth lingered where her fingers had brushed against his hand sometime in the night. She was still sleeping, her breath slow, her hair scattered across the pillow like silk threads.

But Ivan’s heart was far from calm.

His chest felt heavy. His thoughts wouldn’t let him rest.

He sat up slowly, careful not to wake her. His hand hesitated in her hair for one last moment... then he pulled away.

He rose, walked quietly out of her room, and down the corridor.

No one saw him as he climbed the steps of the tower.

When he reached the top, the cold air hit him like a wave. The sun had just finished rising. Gold spilled across the snow-covered rooftops. The sky stretched wide and endless.

And on the bird rail, waiting as if it knew its message mattered — the owl.

Ivan walked to it quickly.

The bird shifted only slightly as he untied the rolled parchment from its leg. He opened it, his hands cold but steady.

He read the message once.

Then again.

It was short.

"Ruslan’s mother is alive. If you want to get him, use her as bait. He is in his hometown Novostav. I’ll meet you there in three days." — N. Petrov

Ivan didn’t move for a long time.

His eyes stayed fixed on the message.

His jaw tightened.

He looked up at the sky — bright, cloudless, beautiful — and hated it.

He hated what he was about to do.

Using someone’s family... it felt wrong. Like crossing a line. But what choice did he have? Ruslan wouldn’t stop until Lydia was either ruined or dead.

And this — this was the only way to end it. Fast. Final.

But it still meant he’d have to leave the palace.

And leaving wasn’t safe.

Not when Ruslan could strike the moment his back was turned. And not when Lydia’s life hung in the balance.

Ivan sat on the stone edge of the tower and looked out at the endless white of the kingdom.

---

In the cold forest far away, Ruslan woke up with a sharp breath.

Sweat clung to his back despite the freezing air. He touched his face, trembling fingers running over his old burn scars.

The dream again.

That same dream that hunted him every night.

He had been young in it — terrified. Ivan stood before him, cruel and smiling, lighting the fire that burned his skin. His face. His pride.

He shook it off, standing up with a growl.

The wind outside was sharp against his skin. He pulled on his coat and walked to the fire, where Anatoly sat, half-frozen and blinking.

Ruslan’s voice was hoarse. "Anything?"

Anatoly stood quickly, trying to shake off the sleep. "No, sir. Not a single pigeon. No movement. Nothing flew past except some owls."

Ruslan narrowed his eyes.

"Sure?"

Anatoly nodded. "Yes, my Lord. I watched all night."

Ruslan looked at the forest around them. The snow. The silence.

He still had that strange feeling in his chest. Like something had happened — but he had missed it.

---

Lydia opened her eyes slowly.

The room was filled with soft morning light.

For a moment, she smiled — it felt like someone had been beside her. She thought she felt Ivan’s presence. Maybe he had come in during the night?

But when she looked around, the room was empty.

No sign of him.

The warmth faded from her smile.

A knock came at the door.

She rose and opened it. It was Tatiana.

Her face was pale. She looked tired and worried.

"May I come in?" she asked softly.

Lydia stepped aside. "Of course."

Tatiana walked in and sat on the edge of the bed, folding her hands in her lap.

"I hope I’m not bothering you," she said. "It’s just... I’m worried."

Lydia sat beside her. "Why?"

Tatiana looked at her carefully. "Is everything okay? Since you returned from the capital, you’ve both been... distant. You look tired. And His Highness... he’s different. I’ve never seen him like this before. He’s tense. On edge."

Lydia looked down.

A long silence passed.

Then she said softly, "It’s all my fault."

Tatiana turned to her, startled. "What is?"

Lydia shook her head. "I can’t talk about it."

"Your Highness..."

But she didn’t answer.

She just sat there, eyes staring blankly ahead.

Tatiana didn’t push further. She placed a hand gently on Lydia’s knee and gave a small, sad smile. "Whatever it is... I hope you don’t carry it alone."

Then she stood and left.

Lydia sat in silence, tears burning at the edge of her eyes. But she didn’t let them fall.

---

Back in his study, Ivan stared at the fire.

His eyes were sharp, his jaw clenched.

He thought about the pigeon he had sent to Nikolai. It never came back.

Ruslan must’ve killed it.

Which meant — Nikolai’s reply had likely been seen by Ruslan. But there was no sign of an attack. No sudden move. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Which could only mean one thing.

Nikolai sent a false reply. Smart. Just enough to calm Ruslan. Maybe something like — "I’ll be sending extra guards to the palace."

That would explain Ruslan’s silence.

It gave them time. But not much.

Ivan’s fingers tapped slowly against the desk.

If he left the palace now, Ruslan would know. He would assume Ivan was moving against him. And worse, he might stay back — not to escape, but to go after Lydia.

But if Lydia followed him, if she came with him... that would be even worse. Ruslan would follow. And the danger would follow her.

There was no easy way.

He had to leave by dawn tomorrow to meet Nikolai in Novostav.

Ivan had never been there before. But that’s where the trap had to be set.

Now, he just needed one thing.

A way to leave the palace without Ruslan knowing. But to keep Lydia safe at the same time.

Something Ruslan wouldn’t expect.

He closed his eyes, resting his head in his hands.

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